What happened
A flight traveling from Burbank toward a highly classified installation near Groom Lake, Nevada, ended in a fatal accident during its transit. The aircraft was transporting a group consisting of four crew members and 10 passengers, including engineers, scientists, and specialists involved in the Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance program. Because the mission was classified, the flight operated without radio communication with air traffic control.
During the journey, the aircraft encountered severe weather characterized by low visibility and thunderstorm activity. While operating at an altitude of 11,300 feet within cloud cover, the four-engine aircraft struck the side of Mount Charleston, approximately 50 feet below the peak. The impact resulted in 14 fatalities, with no survivors among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the flight was not on its intended course at the time of the collision. It is believed that the crew became disoriented due to the heavy cloud cover and inclement weather, leading to the fatal navigation error.